Diving apparatus

Abstract

A diving system for launching a person into a swimming pool or the like that is particularly well suited for use in a limited space which normally precludes the use of a conventional board. The system employs a relatively short board pivotally secured to a base member and having two arcuate shaped spring members that are anchored at one end in the base and which are cojoined at the opposite end by a crossbar passing under the board. The crossbar is arranged to ride in contact with the working surface of a slide affixed to the board so that rearward movement of the crossbar is promoted when the board is deflected under a relatively light load and is resisted when the board is deflected under a relatively heavy load. The slide includes a generally concave shaped working surface for receiving the crossbar and, automatically changes the fulcrum ratio of the system to present a more flexible board to a lighter or less active diver and a stiffer board to a heavier or more active diver. The slide extends generally longitudinally the board.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a diving platform having a base member, a relatively short board which is pivotally connected at the back end thereof to the base, a pair of arcuate shaped spring arms secured at one end to the base member and extending upwardly and outwardly from the base member and a crossbar passing beneath the board supported in the free ends of said springs, the improvement comprising: at least one slide member affixed to the bottom of the board having a contoured working surface for receiving the crossbar in sliding relationship therewith, the working surface of the slide having first and second ramp sections cojoined by a transition section;   said first ramp section being positioned to contact the crossbar when the board is at rest in a non-loaded condition, the slope of the ramp inclined upwardly and rearwardly in regard to the pivot point of the board;   said second ramp section being positioned rearwardly of said first ramp section, the slope of said second ramp being inclined upwardly and forwardly in regard to the pivot point of the board; and   said transition section having a continuous surface extending between the two ramp sections capable of smoothly guiding the crossbar between the ramps as the load on the board is increased beyond a predetermined point.   
     
     
       2. The platform of claim 1 having two slides mounted in parallel alignment on either side of said board. 
     
     
       3. The platform of claim 1 further including a resilient pad interposed between said slide and the bottom surface of the board to cushion the board as it rebounds against the crossbar. 
     
     
       4. The platform of claim 3 wherein each resilient pad includes a pair of dependent side panels, each panel extending downwardly beyond the side surface of the slide whereby the crossbar moves into contact with the panels prior to contacting the working surface of the slides upon rebound. 
     
     
       5. The platform of claim 4 wherein the side panels are arranged to deflect away from the side surfaces of the slide when the crossbar is in contact with the working surface of the slides. 
     
     
       6. The platform of claim 1 wherein said slide is fabricated of a low friction material having good cold flow characteristics when placed under impact loading. 
     
     
       7. A self-adjusting diving platform of relatively short length including: base member;   a board pivotally mounted at one end to said base member;   a pair of spaced apart arcuate shaped spring members secured in cantilevered fashion at one end in the base member and extending outwardly from said base each spring member extending along an edge of the board;   a crossbar secured to the free ends of said spring members said crossbar extending transversely and beneath the board; and   at least one arcuate guide slide means affixed to the bottom surface of the board and extending substantially longitudinally the board and having a generally concave working surface formed therein for receiving and guiding the crossbar in sliding relationship therewith when said board is used by a person, in rearward movement of the crossbar when the board is loaded to a predetermined level and to resist rearward movement of the crossbar when the board is loaded beyond said predetermined level.   
     
     
       8. The platform of claim 7 wherein the working surface of the slide member includes two ramp sections that are cojoined by a transition section, the slope of the first ramp section being generally upwardly and rearwardly in reference to the pivot point of the board and the slope of the second ramp section being upwardly and forwardly in reference to the pivot point of the board. 
     
     
       9. The diving platform of claim 7 further including a resilient pad interposed between the bottom surface of the board and the top surface of the slide for absorbing the impact forces created by the board upon rebound. 
     
     
       10. The platform of claim 9 wherein the resilient pad has two side panels which complement the contour of the sidewalls of the slide member and which extend downwardly beyond the working surface of said slide whereby the cross member contacts the side panels prior to contacting the working surface of the slide.